Britney Spears has nothing on Ariel LaGrange, elementary education senior.
LaGrange is preparing to have her head shaved for the annual St. Baldrick’s Day, at Fourth Street Live in Louisville on March 14.
This is the second time she will be going bald for the event.
“Shavees” are people who have their head shaved, providing support and awareness for childhood cancer research. They are participating in St. Baldrick’s Day to raise money for the research.
LaGrange said her goal is to raise $3,000 before St. Baldrick’s Day to help children fight cancer.
“Cancer affects everyone,” LaGrange said. “Someone will be affected. Kids don’t always get a fighting chance.”
She said she has raised more than her goal of $3,000.
LaGrange said she has been promoting her cause to family, friends and donors via Facebook, fliers and church bulletins.
She said her goal is higher this year than the first time she had her head shaved in 2008.
“I set my first goal at $500 and got about $2, 200,” LaGrange said.
LaGrange said for every $10 donation she receives, she will put the donor’s name in a raffle to win a prize.
She has collected items from local businesses to give away as prizes, such as tickets to the Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville and merchandise from the YMCA.
“I’m also offering a free night of babysitting and a free workout instruction,” LaGrange said.
LaGrange has been an exercise instructor at the YMCA in New Albany since 2007, teaching workouts like Turbo Kick and BodyPump classes.
LaGrange said she first felt the desire to help children with cancer while attending elementary school at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Clarksville. One of her classmates had cancer.
“I started donating my hair to Locks of Love,” LaGrange said.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization, collecting hair from donors to make wigs for financially-disadvantaged children with an illness, resulting in hair loss.
LaGrange said it wasn’t until she saw the singer, Britney Spears, shave her head in 2007 was she able to have her head shaved for the St. Baldrick’s day event.
“I know she didn’t do it for charity reasons,” LaGrange said, “but it gave me the motivation to do it. I have enough confidence now to put vanity aside.”
She said it’s the most moving experience to be at the St. Baldrick’s Day event.
“You’re surrounded by cancer-stricken families and people doing selfless acts to help,” LaGrange said.
While raising money for St. Baldrick’s Day, LaGrange is also helping to coordinate a new group on campus, the Catholic Campus Community.
Jeff Jenkins, associate director of New Albany Deanery Catholic Youth Ministries and adviser for the CCC, said LaGrange is a very passionate person and has the ability to really connect with people.
“She looks beyond the surface,” Jenkins said.
St. Baldrick’s Day is an international event held by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, currently the second leading organization, following the U.S. Government, funding childhood cancer research.
LaGrange said donations in any amount can be made on her page at the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Web site at www.stbaldricks.org. Tax forms can be given for donations, if requested.
By LEAH TATE
Staff Writer
lmtate@ius.edu